December 9, 2015

It’s that time of year again… when our bikinis are packed away and woolly jumpers are out to play!

The winter is well and truly upon us and sunscreen may be the last thing on your mind, but if you’re heading off to the slopes this season, we would urge you think carefully about protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.

UV radiation increases by 15% percent for every 1,000 metres you go above sea level, so the higher up you are, the greater the risk of sun damage. You’d be forgiven for thinking that sun isn’t strong enough to burn in the winter, but you are at just as much risk of sun damage on a mountain as you are soaking up the sun on a beach.

To ensure you enjoy the sun sensibly whilst you ski, we’ve shared our top tips for winter breaks.

Protect your eyesJust as the skin can burn when exposed to UV rays, so can your eyes. In fact, the skin around the eyelid is one of the most common sites for skin cancer and premature ageing. Snow reflects around 80% of the sun's UV rays, so it’s important to protect your eyes by wearing a pair of quality UV resistant sunglasses or goggles.

Take extra precautionsHeavy wind can wear away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness so it’s important to take extra precautions out on the slopes. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as SunSense 30 minutes before you head outdoors and re-apply every two hours, especially if you’re working up a sweat. Carrying a travel size bottle in your pocket is handy for re-applying on the chair lifts.

Watch the clockUVB rays are generally strongest at midday, so take extra precaution between 10am - 4pm by re-applying your sunscreen regularly and drinking plenty of water.

UV technologyProduced by the British Association of Dermatologists, the World UV App provides a free daily UV forecast for over 1,000 locations worldwide. The forecast identifies the peak strength of the UV radiation from the sun at a particular place on a particular day. This app is useful all year round but particularly helpful in winter when risks of UV rays are less obvious.

Pucker upThe skin on our lips is particularly sensitive, meaning that they are prone to sun damage and lose moisture easily. Carry a moisturising lip balm in your pocket such as the SunSense lip balm with SPF 50+ and apply consistently to avoid sore, dry and chapped lips.

So, now you have the facts, you’re ready to hit the slopes and enjoy the winter sun!